How to pay for breast implant removal?

Asked by: Mr. Omari Considine  |  Last update: September 8, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (2 votes)

If your implants were put in after a mastectomy and your doctor believes that removing your implants is “medically necessary,” then your health insurance is legally obligated to cover your breast implant removal under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA).

How to get insurance to pay for breast implant removal?

3 Things That Need to Happen for Insurance to Cover Breast Implant Removal
  1. You must have a diagnosis recognized by the medical community. Capsular contracture. ...
  2. You need imaging or exams to prove the diagnosis. ...
  3. You need to stay in communication with your insurance company.

How do you get breast implant removal covered?

Implant removal may be covered only if it's necessary treatment of a complication which represents a separate medical condition. Implant damage, hardening, leakage, and autoimmune disorder don't qualify as separate medical conditions.

Do you have to pay to get implants removed?

Cost to Remove Breast Implants

The average cost* of breast explant surgery in the U.S. is $6,837. However, this price does not include anesthesia for the procedure, operating room costs, medications or other related expenses.

What is a medical necessity for breast implant removal?

Medical Necessity

Breast cancer in the implanted breast or remnant, or in the contralateral breast, where implant removal is necessary to excise the breast cancer; or. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma; or. Extrusion of implant through skin, or. Implants complicated by recurrent infections, or.

7 day update| Healing after Breast Explant Q and A

27 related questions found

Will Allergan pay for my implant removal?

Will Allergan pay for implant removal? Because this recall only affects the sale of implants, implant removal (explant surgery) is not paid for by Allergan. Allergan will, however, provide free implants for anyone wanting their Biocell implants removed and replaced with Allergan smooth implants.

At what age should breast implants be removed?

Eventually, the implants will have to be removed. Breast implants generally last 10 to 15 years. It is not unheard of for them to last longer, but the longer you have them, there is an increased risk of rupture and other complications.

Is it free to get the implant removed?

prescriptions given by your doctor - approved products will be given free of charge at participating pharmacies. your choice of contraception - from the types covered below. fittings and removals of implants and IUDs or IUSs (coils) any check-ups or other follow up care needed, relating to your implant or coil.

Can you pay off breast implants?

Yes, we offer payment plans for our patients 'in advance' of their upcoming breast surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or any other plastic / cosmetic surgery that Mr Hanikeri performs. Our patients can book their procedure up to six months in advance.

What happens when breast implants are removed and not replaced?

After removal, some women do not choose to replace their implants. These women may have cosmetically undesirable dimpling, chest wall concavity, puckering, or sagging of their natural breasts.

What happens to breast pocket after explant?

Breast implant removal, or explant, often leaves the breast with a deflated area of central hollowing, significant subsequent breast and skin laxity, loss of projection, loss of conical shape, and proportional excess in the lateral breast.

How hard is it to get a breast implant removed?

The process of having implants removed isn't that difficult for your plastic surgeon. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes. And recovery time is usually pretty short. Unlike augmentation, you will not have the down time that comes after surgery for enhancement.

Is breast implant removal tax deductible?

Cosmetic surgery is usually a personal expense and isn't tax-deductible.

What do breasts look like after implant removal?

After implant removal, your breasts may sag, droop or appear misshapen. Many people choose to have implant removal with a breast lift (mastopexy). During a breast lift, your surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes your breast tissue.

What makes breast augmentation medically necessary?

The use of breast implants in cosmetic surgery is considered not medically necessary. However, the existing California Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 mandates coverage for medically necessary services to treat the complications of non-covered services.

How much does a boob lift cost?

San Francisco, California

In the Bay Area, the average breast lift cost is between $9,000 and $15,000. As with other California cities, an elevated cost of living and a high concentration of skilled plastic surgeons contribute to the steeper price compared to the national average.

Will insurance ever pay for breast implant removal?

Chronic Breast Pain: Pain caused by capsular contracture is often considered justification for insurance coverage of removal. In addition, if the implants are causing extensive pain because of nerve damage or the weight of the implants, it is sometimes possible to get the insurance company to pay for removal.

Is it expensive to have breast implants removed?

The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,979, according to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.

How do people afford breast implants?

One common financing option is through a plastic surgery financing company. Companies like CareCredit specialize in financing medical procedures like breast augmentation, and they often have options like zero percent interest for a certain period of time or low monthly payments.

Can I get my implant removed for free?

Yes! If you are eligible for Trust Her, you can get your IUD or arm implant removed at no cost. Trust Her does not require you to get another type for birth control after removal.

Can I get my breast implants removed for free?

GAO noted that: (1) most government and private insurers pay for the removal of silicone gel breast implants; (2) all insurers require that the patient's physician determine that the procedure is medically necessary; (3) some government and private insurers deny coverage if implants are being removed solely because of ...

Do you lose weight when implant is removed?

Some women gain weight while using the implant and lose weight when it's removed, while others might experience the opposite effect.

How painful is breast implant removal?

Recovery from breast explant surgery also won't be painful. Before your procedure, you will receive a prescription for analgesics. We strongly encourage you to fill this prescription before your procedure so you can go straight home and focus on resting.

What happens if you never take breast implants out?

Yes, it is possible for old breast implants to cause problems such as capsular contracture, ruptures, deflation, and in rare cases, breast implant illness (BII) or a specific cancer called breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Can you keep breast implants for 30 years?

In general, they are very robust. There are YouTube videos of plastic surgeons driving over implants without them rupturing. I myself have done lots of surgery on patients who have had implants in for 30-40 years. When I remove them, they are often perfectly intact.